Day defended the 23-year-old athlete during Tuesday’s episode of thePEOPLE Every Daypodcast, telling host Janine Rubenstein that she thought what Kelly, 50, did was “bullying” since Osaka “did nothing wrong.”
WhenOsaka’sSports Illustrated Swimsuitissue coverwas unveiled on Monday, Kelly took a dig at number of times the athlete has appeared in magazines sinceciting efforts to preserve her mental health as the reason behind her decision to skip interviewsat the French Open.
For more on what went into making the 2021 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Swimsuit issue, listen toPEOPLE Every Daybelow.
“Well, first of all, we did that shoot back in December of 2020,” said Day, adding that Osaka had shot herSI Swimcover months before going public about her struggles with social anxiety.
From left: M J Day, Naomi Osaka and Megyn Kelly.getty (3)
The editor went on to explain why she called out Kelly on her own Instagram Story, in which she told the former Fox News host to “direct your vitriol somewhere else.”
“It’s such bullying and it’s so unnecessary, and this woman did nothing wrong,” Day toldRubenstein. “I’m like, ‘You know what, you’re journalists. How about you do your job and you fact check instead of jumping all over this woman for attention?’ "
“It broke my heart to see someone who is really living her life for the betterment of others while also trying to pursue her own passion, which is tennis and fashion,” Day said of Osaka. “Let her live. Let her make decisions for herself that protect her own wellbeing. It’s at no cost to anyone.”
In the wake of the drama between Osaka and Kelly, a source close to theThe Megyn Kelly Showhost tells PEOPLE, “A bully is someone who attacks another with less power for the sake of being hurtful. Not a journalist/commentator who gets paid to comment on the news/public figures.”
The two first exchanged online jabs on Monday, with Kelly responding to a tweet from conservative sports pundit Clay Travis that read: “Since saying she’s too introverted to talk to the media after tennis matches, Naomi Osaka has launched a reality show,a Barbie, and nowis on the cover of theSIswimsuit issue.”
“Let’s not forget the cover of (& interview in)Vogue JapanandTimeMag!” Kellyreplied.
In a since-deleted tweet to Kelly, Osaka said her covers were shot before she publicly discussed her mental health struggles, which the athlete has previously said made it “stressful” for her to speak with press.
Kelly followed up in a subsequent tweet,claimingOsaka had blocked her.
MJ Day/instagram
“Poor @naomiosaka blocked me while taking a shot at me (guess she’s only tough on the courts),” Kelly wrote. “She is apparently arguing that she shot her many covers b/4 publicly claiming she was too socially anxious to deal w/press.”
She added, “Truth is she just doesn’t like Qs she can’t control. Admit it.”
Osaka made the decision toentirely withdraw from the French Open in Mayafter picking upa $15,000 finefor not participating in the tournament’s media requirements. Sheopted not to compete in Wimbledona month later.
Check out more from Day’s interview onPEOPLE Every Day, airing oniHeartMedia,Apple podcasts,Spotify,Stitcher,Amazon Musicor wherever you listen to your podcasts.
source: people.com
